Description

"The 2008 Barbaresco Rabaja is without question one of the wines of the vintage in this irregular year. It flows with deep layers of menthol, licorice and spices, showing tons of power. This is a dazzling wine endowed with marvelous inner perfume, great richness and huge staying power on the palate. Today it is still quite primary and in need of at least several years of cellaring. Tobacco, licorice and menthol wrap around the palate on the intense finish. The 2008 is a stunning Rabaja from Cortese. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024." - 94 Pts Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate

"(aged for 22 months in big barrels, none new): Good full medium red. The nose offers a tight core of sour cherry, redcurrant, mint, menthol and flowers. Taut rather than fleshy, with penetrating acidity contributing to an impression of energy. The firm tannic spine of this perfumed midweight calls for at least five years of patience." - 91 Pts Stephen Tanzer - International Wine Cellar

"A pretty red, this evokes flowers, strawberry and raspberry, with an underlying mineral current. Firmly structured, with precision and a long aftertaste of fruit and mineral. Best from 2014 through 2027. 1,000 cases made. -BS" - 91 Pts Wine Spectator

"Subtle aromas of sliced strawberries and flowers with hints of citrus. Full body, with bright acidity and a clean finish. So delicious now but better in 2013." - 91 Pts James Suckling - JamesSuckling.com

"Barbaresco. Palish ruby with watery rim. Sweet, and hinting at fruit, but more savoury at the moment. Quite classic palate, nothing overworked or overdone. Very well balanced as well as elegant. Drink 2013 to 2020. (WS)" 17+ out of 20 points, Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages

WINE:
"Barbaresco Rabaja is our most important wine and has an intense and ethereal perfume with fresh notes of violets and red fruit that evolve into scents of spices, cocoa, tobacco, and dry fruit as it ages. A full, dry, and robust flavor, with a rich and harmonious structure; garnet red color." -Winery

WINERY:
"The Cortese family produces and vinifies with passion for 3 generations, using grapes from its 8 hectares of vineyards situated in the heart of Rabaja, historical and renown 'Sori' in the territory of Barbaresco. The cru of Rabaja has a favorable exposition to the south/southwest and it expresses in terms of microclimate, soil, and ripening, offering a product that combines all of the characteristics of a great wine." -Winery

"Blueberry and fresh mushrooms with hints of flowers on the nose. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. This is a joy to taste. Drink now." (10/12) - 94 Pts James Suckling - JamesSuckling.com

Wine:
"Fattoria Viticcio's Chianti Classico Riserva is the result of careful selection of the finest grapes during harvesting, with a predominance of Tuscan Sangiovese. Vinification is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with a long maceration period. Rapid warming of the cellar at the end of the primary fermentation phase enables the swift onset of malolactic fermentation. Depending on the vintage, the wine is aged - in varying proportions and periods of time - in both medium-sized oak barrels and small oak barriques, in order to enhance the aromas to the full. The wine is then aged in horizontally-stored bottles and in temperature-controlled cellars for a minimum of 6 months."

"The grapes are 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Fermentation and maceration take place in stainless steel tanks for a period of about 30 days at a controlled temperature of about di 28 degrees C, followed by natural malolactic fermentation in barriques of French and American oak, with no specific yeasts added. For aging, the wine spends 12 months in barriques made of French and American oak, and bottle ageing for a minimum of 6 months. The aroma is of soft fruits, currants, black cherry, spicy notes. The attack on the palate is firm, very full, red fruit and spices with dense and even tannins that allow a smooth and balanced finish. The wine is great for first courses with meat sauces, roasted or grilled meats." - Winery